My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and

cake is

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for

pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

to be a little girl in pigtails,

sing the

close her eyes and

must blow out

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

Birthday’ in unison. The

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

must make a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

say thank you!” their

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take

never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

she turned and headed toward

apartment and about to close

loud slam, the door was propped open by

face made all the more grotesque by

out on business? she

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying the

you’ve been getting along fine without

steps back. Why are

resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin

he approached her, forcing

had no idea

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way